as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the playful competition over who would get the new office turned into a real dogfight
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dogfight
As the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers partake in a dogfight series for the right to advance to the Eastern Conference finals, the New York Knicks are back at home with their feet kicked up and taking in the action like the rest of us.
—
James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 13 May 2026
At the climax of the episode, two kingfishers sported over a stream, a dazzling dogfight of orange and blue.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
Last October, the Boston Red Sox went the distance with the Yankees in a dogfight of an American League Wild Card series.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
The real American objective, if war comes, would not be some glorious dogfight over mainland China.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dogfight
James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 13 May 2026
At the climax of the episode, two kingfishers sported over a stream, a dazzling dogfight of orange and blue.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
Last October, the Boston Red Sox went the distance with the Yankees in a dogfight of an American League Wild Card series.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
The real American objective, if war comes, would not be some glorious dogfight over mainland China.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dogfight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dogfight
Noun
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Swiatek has owned Paris in recent years, and Alcaraz and Sinner have looked like the next two-man rivalry ready to grab the sport by the throat.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
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The intense rivalry between Dutton Ranch and 10 Petal Ranch is one aspect of the show that doesn't ring true for Jarvis.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
Noun
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Mexico dominated, winning the possession battle 60% to 40%.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
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The Patriots had goals from Maya Feloney and Ava Bridgman, but the possession battle was firmly in NDA’s favor with the score being 5-2.—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
11 June 2026
Noun
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At a party, Onegin gets a bit handsy with his friend’s bride-to-be and Lensky has no choice, presumably, but to challenge the other man to a duel.—
Lauren Warnecke,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2026
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His impact in and out of possession is vital to Switzerland’s success, intercepting passes and winning duels off the ball, while building up the attacks and finding runners in behind with his passing ability.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Noun
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Reality competition slipped to 45 from 50; unstructured reality rose to 38 from 36.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
12 June 2026
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The 2026 men’s World Cup group stage consists of 12 groups of four competing in round-robin competition, an increase of 16 teams from the last men’s World Cup.—
Boston Herald,
Boston Herald,
12 June 2026
Noun
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However the failure to reach an agreement on the 100-billion Euro ($116 billion) project, which also includes Spain, underscores the struggles Europe has faced in rebuilding its military capacity after decades of underinvestment.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
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Dearica Hamby had 22 points with 12 rebounds, a solid response for the veteran forward following her struggles in recent games.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Noun
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During the early phases of the war, battlefield dynamics were often shaped by technological innovation, particularly the rapid rise of drones and electronic warfare systems.—
Vikram Mittal,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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Thiagarajan Kumararaja's directorial debut set the international film scene on fire with a story of class warfare that features a rooster as a key plot device.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
Noun
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Meanwhile, Trump’s decision to go to war with Iran has roiled the global energy markets and sent the cost of gas and jet fuel soaring.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
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Profits at Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC Gas fell 15% as the war cut its sales volumes, and Industries Qatar saw a drop of nearly 26% as the conflict disrupted its petrochemicals operations and shipments.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
10 June 2026
Noun
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Shortly after the verbal confrontation, Pelley was fired after an emergency meeting Tuesday.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
7 June 2026
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Shocking video captured the moments anti-ICE agitators were arrested outside Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey, Friday, during riotous confrontations.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dogfight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dogfight. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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